This Writing Project Will Consist Of You Creating A PowerPoi ✓ Solved

This writing project will consists of you creating a PowerPoint

This writing project involves creating a PowerPoint presentation on the ethical dilemma of capital punishment in criminal justice. The presentation must have at least 5 credible resources cited as in-text citations and a reference citation slide in APA format. It should also include a title slide in APA format and contain a minimum of 15 slides, excluding the title slide, abstract slide, and reference slide.

The first part of the presentation will briefly discuss the chosen dilemma. Subsequently, you will persuade the audience to see the dilemma from your point of view, using research to support your stance. The PowerPoint must be argumentative/persuasive, picking one side to debate instead of being informational. Your grade will depend on the presentation of your analysis and research, the quality of the work presented, whether you give a detailed presentation or a vague overview, whether you addressed all parts of the question asked, and how you support your argument/discussion. You are required to use at least 5 sources for your research, and the presentation should be written using APA format.

Paper For Above Instructions

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, has been a plying point in discussions surrounding ethics, justice, and public safety. In this presentation, I will advocate against capital punishment, arguing that it does not effectively deter crime, poses ethical dilemmas, and disproportionately affects marginalized communities. By providing evidence and research supporting my viewpoint, I aim to persuade the audience to reconsider their stance on this critical issue in criminal justice.

Introduction to Capital Punishment

Capital punishment is defined as the government-sanctioned execution of an individual as a punishment for a crime, usually considered to be the most serious offenses. This practice has been a subject of ethical, moral, and social debate for centuries, with advocates and opponents presenting compelling arguments regarding its validity and application. Understanding the complexity of capital punishment is essential in addressing the ethical dilemmas it presents within the justice system.

Deterrence Argument

Proponents of capital punishment often argue that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to violent crime. However, multiple studies have shown that there is no conclusive evidence supporting this claim. According to a report by the National Academy of Sciences, states that have abolished the death penalty do not experience higher rates of violent crime compared to those that uphold it (National Research Council, 2012). This suggests that the rationale for capital punishment based on deterrence is weak and unfounded.

Ethical Considerations

One of the primary ethical dilemmas surrounding capital punishment is the sanctity of human life. The moral argument against the death penalty suggests that it is inherently wrong for the state to take a life, regardless of the circumstances. Organizations such as Amnesty International advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, citing that it violates fundamental human rights (Amnesty International, 2020). The issue becomes even more complex when considering wrongful convictions—an obtained data from the Innocence Project suggests that around 20% of people on death row in the United States are innocent (The Innocence Project, 2021).

Disproportionality in Sentencing

Another significant issue is the disproportionate application of capital punishment. Studies reveal that ethnic and racial minorities, particularly African Americans, are more likely to receive the death penalty than their white counterparts. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that a black defendant is more likely to be sentenced to death if the victim is white, highlighting the racial bias within the criminal justice system (Eberhardt et al., 2006). This raises questions about fairness and equity in the administration of justice, further complicating the ethical landscape surrounding capital punishment.

International Perspectives

Comparatively, many countries worldwide have abolished or suspended the death penalty, viewing it as an outdated and inhumane practice. For instance, the European Union has made it a fundamental condition for membership to abolish capital punishment, aligning with the principles of human rights and dignity (European Union, 2022). These international stances underscore a growing consensus that capital punishment is incompatible with modern justice systems.

Alternatives to Capital Punishment

Rather than resorting to the death penalty, societies can pursue alternative sentencing methods that focus on rehabilitation and restorative justice. Life sentences without the possibility of parole allow for accountability while preserving the offender's life. Research demonstrates that rehabilitation programs can reduce recidivism, promoting public safety more effectively than capital punishment (Tonry, 2013).

Conclusion

In conclusion, capital punishment presents numerous ethical dilemmas, challenges, and disparities that cannot be ignored. The lack of evidence supporting its deterrence effect, the ethical arguments surrounding the sanctity of life, and the racially biased application of the death penalty highlight why it is a flawed practice. We must shift the focus toward alternatives that emphasize rehabilitation and restorative justice and work toward creating a fair and equitable criminal justice system.

References

  • Amnesty International. (2020). The death penalty. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/death-penalty/
  • Eberhardt, J. L., Davies, P. G., Purdie-Vaughns, V., & Johnson, S. L. (2006). Looking deathworthy: Perceived stereotypicality of black defendants predicts death sentencing. Psychological Science, 17(5), 383-386.
  • European Union. (2022). The EU and the death penalty. Retrieved from https://europa.eu/eu-and-death-penalty_en
  • National Research Council. (2012). Deterrence and the death penalty. The National Academies Press.
  • The Innocence Project. (2021). DNA exoneree statistic. Retrieved from https://www.innocenceproject.org/dna-exonerations-in-the-united-states/
  • Tonry, M. (2013). Sentencing matters. Oxford University Press.
  • Walmsley, R. (2020). World survey of capital punishment. World Prison Brief. Retrieved from https://www.prisonstudies.org/
  • Bedau, H. A., & Radelet, M. L. (1987). Miscarriages of justice in potentially capital cases. Stanford Law Review, 40(1), 21-179.
  • Burns, R. L. (2013). Death penalty law: A nutshell. West Academic Publishing.
  • Peterson, B. (2017). The death penalty: A dialogue. Routledge.

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